Nyesom Wike has finally crossed the line between political relevance and national embarrassment. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory now behaves like a law unto himself — loud, insolent, and intoxicated with power — dragging the dignity of public office through the mud. His most recent public clash with a naval officer, whom he called “stupid,” was not just a show of shame; it was a symbol of everything wrong with Nigeria’s culture of impunity.
When Arrogance Becomes Policy
Wike’s tongue is sharper than his conscience. Since assuming office, he has treated the FCT as his personal empire, barking orders, humiliating subordinates, and weaponizing his office against anyone who dares to disagree. His swagger has replaced substance; his mouth has become louder than his record.
A minister who cannot respect a uniformed officer performing his duty has no business representing a government that preaches discipline and order. That President Bola Tinubu continues to indulge Wike’s misconduct is beginning to raise eyebrows — and serious questions about who truly wields power in Abuja.
Tinubu’s Political Debt Has Become a Political Curse
Let us be frank: Wike’s place in this government was never about merit. It was a political settlement — a reward for helping to deliver Rivers State in the 2023 presidential election. Tinubu, ever the strategist, saw Wike as a bridge to the South-South and a tool to fracture the PDP. But that bargain has turned sour.
Today, the same man who once boasted about “rigging Rivers State for the APC” is fast becoming the face of governmental disgrace. His arrogance has eclipsed his usefulness. Tinubu’s political debt to Wike has become a political curse — one that stains the image of his administration each time Wike opens his mouth.
A Minister Above the Law?
There are more than forty ministers in Nigeria, yet only one behaves as if the nation revolves around him. Others attend to their portfolios quietly, focusing on governance. Wike, on the other hand, thrives on chaos. He insults the civil service, undermines the rule of law, and ridicules the security agencies — all without consequence.
By allowing Wike’s unchecked behavior to fester, Tinubu risks creating the impression that his government is hostage to one man’s ego. The President, known for his tactical patience, must now realize that patience has a shelf life. Wike’s antics no longer serve strategy; they serve shame.
An Embarrassment in Broad Daylight
The confrontation with Naval Officer Yarima was a disgrace broadcast in real time — a minister shouting down a serviceman performing lawful duty. The military has long been one of Nigeria’s few institutions still clinging to discipline. To see a minister humiliate an officer before cameras is a slap to the very idea of respect for national symbols.
That such a scandal has not been met with even a mild rebuke from the Presidency suggests either fear or complicity. Neither option flatters this administration.
Mr. President, Enough Is Enough
President Tinubu must now decide what matters more — loyalty or legitimacy. The man who once prided himself as the builder of men cannot afford to let one man’s arrogance chip away at his moral authority. Every day Wike remains in office, the message to Nigerians becomes clearer: power, not principle, rules in the Renewed Hope era.
If Tinubu truly wishes to restore confidence in his government, the first step is simple — sack Nyesom Wike. Not out of vengeance, but out of respect for decency. The capital city deserves a minister, not a monarch.
Conclusion
Wike’s arrogance is no longer a quirk of personality; it is a national embarrassment. His behavior has become a mirror reflecting the worst instincts of Nigerian politics — power without humility, privilege without responsibility. President Tinubu has indulged him long enough. The time to act is now, before one man’s ego consumes the credibility of an entire government.
WIKE’S ARROGANCE AND TINUBU’S DILEMMA
BY DARE ADELEKAN
